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New , Old Guy , from Mexico w/question

Messages
6
Location
Rosarito Beach , Mexico
Hi forum , I've looked here for info several times , you guys are pretty good. So I have a easy one. My 2006 H3 , bought new in March of 06, recently got new footwear. Decided to make her 3rd set a little bigger, than the other 2. Went to 35's Nitto mud grappler's . Look & drive good, problem is , I now notice a difference , that the left rear is about 2 inches further out of the wheel well than the other side. Talked to an expert by phone in San Diego , and he says came from the factory like that , just never noticed with the stock tires. Any advice. I'm in the Baja , been here since retiring from the Marines in 93. Feel free to contact me with any questions about Mexico ! Thanks Mr-relaxaction
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derian06

Red Rockett
Messages
1,866
Location
Madison, AL
Same thing happened on my old 3, on the right side though. I think what he said was correct.
 
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SuperBuickGuy

Well-Known Member
Messages
3,403
Location
Woodinville, WA
check your leaf springs - one could be broken... if not, also check to see that your torsion bars have equal tension to the ground. That means that, sometimes, one bolt will be further in than the other (you check this by jacking the rear off the ground from the center.. if the truck's not level.. there's your problem. Finally, do a normal check of the sway bars.

I have a picture somewhere of stuffing a wheel and it looks like I broke the opposite side axle with how far the wheel is out from the vehicle.... I'm thinking you're not putting equal pressure on the ground.

Wheeling every day in Mexico... you don't know how close my jealousy came to not letting me help you :)
thank you for your service!
 
Messages
6
Location
Rosarito Beach , Mexico
you know Super Buick Guy , I think you're on to something. Now that you mention it , I've got a clunking sound ( like a torsion bar trying to jump out????? Could you please try and explain a little more in detail how to do the check ( too much takillya ) .
 
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SuperBuickGuy

Well-Known Member
Messages
3,403
Location
Woodinville, WA
to check the torsion bar, put a floor jack under the rear differential and jack the rear tires off the ground. You adjust the tension on the torsion bar via a bolt into a "key" at the cross member. Most people will measure the how much of the bolt is exposed - normal is like 1 1/2" exposed. They start there and see how far off level the vehicle is without the rear tires influencing the amount of tension in the torsion bar. If you need to adjust the bolt, you MUST jack the front tires off the ground. If you do not, you WILL strip the bolt... not expensive to fix; however, it's a top 20 PITA. You reduce the amount of the bolt exposed to increase the tension (tighten the bolt).

For the rear springs - you'll looking for dissimilar shapes. the rear springs tend to break/bend right where the front of the spring makes the eye that captures the front bushing. If that is the case, replace the springs with new ones.... don't bother with used. You can also jack the front up to see if the rear springs aren't holding the vehicle level - but it's harder to do because centering the jack isn't as simple as it is in the back. In both front and rear, you want just a touch more tension on the driver's side than the passenger side because most times the passenger side is empty, but also, that's the side the fuel tank is on... once you've set the suspension, it should be just a touch leaning to the right (not enough to be noticeable, but enough if you measure to the bumper, you'll be 1/32" higher on the left side.

I suppose for completeness, if your bushing(s) are shot - that also would allow a lean... given you're in Mexico and heat happens there - it wouldn't be surprising if a bushing is shot. (the bushings in the front and rear of the leaf springs).

Something else to consider, if you run out of adjustment or you adjust it and it doesn't stay level - the torsion bars are springs that do wear out over time... and it's not uncommon for people here to have replaced the springs. If you do replace the front bars, the 2008 up Alpha springs are a higher rate and preferable (they cost the same).

Finally, be sure your shocks aren't leaking - that also can affect the ride and (sometimes) whether it stays level.
 

Fish

Well-Known Member
Messages
871
Location
San Diego, CA
My 06 H3 didnt have that tire problem so something must not be right.

I used to camp all the time at Playa Saldamando a little north of Ensenada, ever since the violence flared up I havent been back to Mexico. I hear its getting better down there now.
 
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